Used car guide

2012 Renault Twingo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Renault Twingos, from 1,236 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,236MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
5,200typical miles a year
3.6×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Renault Twingos than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.6× usual
    Renault Twingo
    19.7% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes17.7× usual
    Renault Twingo
    10.6% All 2012 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Horn16.5× usual
    Renault Twingo
    6.6% All 2012 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 0.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes11.2× usual
    Renault Twingo
    6.7% All 2012 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Track rod ends2.2× usual
    Renault Twingo
    11% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Brake pads: 4.2% here, against 9.6% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Renault Twingo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    33% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Renault Twingo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018796Tyres 31%
20171,400Tyres 31%
20162,958Tyres 31%
20155,065Tyres 32%
2014903Suspension 34%
2013950Suspension 48%
20112,316Suspension 52%
20103,728Suspension 50%
20091,450Suspension 51%
20082,284Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Renault Twingos registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score